Law enforcement officers often represent the first line of intervention for victims of domestic violence and their families. The overall goal of law enforcement is to enforce the law, which extends to stopping the act of violence that is in progress, ensuring the safety of the victim and others affected by the violence, and arresting the offender. Because of their close involvement with victims and offenders, officers are one of the key components of the coordinated community response against domestic violence and a critical element in keeping victims safe and holding abusers accountable.

The Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence has had a long and cooperative partnership with Maryland law enforcement in the fight against domestic violence. Some ways in which we have worked together include:

• Engaging a MNADV law enforcement liaison
• Providing entry-level, in-service, management and specialized training
• Creating the Model Domestic Violence Policy for the Maryland Law Enforcement Community
• Creating the Domestic Violence Handbook for Maryland Law Enforcement Officers
• Facilitating collaboration with other community partners as part of the Lethality Assessment Program and the statewide Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team Project
• Collaborating with the Maryland Association of Domestic Violence Officers (MADVO)
• Providing technical assistance and development of new practices

Handbook

MNADV publishes Domestic Violence Handbook: for Maryland Law Enforcement Officers. This handbook was recently updated and is now available. Maryland law enforcement agencies can receive a limited number of print copies by emailing info@mnadv.org. To request an electronic copy of this book, please complete the request form below. Please note that this book is intended solely for the use of law enforcement agencies in Maryland.